Delhi High Court Permits Ashneer Grover And Madhuri Jain To Travel Abroad With Conditions

The decision comes after the Grover couple was stopped from boarding a flight in November 2023 due to a Look Out Circular issued by the Economic Offences Wing

The Delhi High Court has granted permission for former BharatPe Managing Director Ashneer Grover and his wife, Madhuri Jain Grover, to travel to the US, but not together. According to a report by Moneycontrol, the high court has the asked the couple to furnish a security of Rs 80 crore before they travel to the US.

The decision comes after the couple was stopped from boarding a flight in November 2023 due to a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The Grovers challenged the LOC, and the court, after considering their plea, allowed them to travel abroad under specified conditions. Ashneer Grover has been permitted to travel from May 26 to June 12, while Madhuri Jain Grover is allowed to travel starting June 15.

The court's decision follows an earlier directive asking Delhi police to suggest conditions ensuring the couple's return to India. Despite opposition from the Delhi police, who argued that the Grovers possess a golden visa for the UAE and have significant assets abroad, the court ruled in favour of the couple. The police contended that Madhuri Jain Grover was not cooperating with the ongoing investigation into an alleged Rs 81 crore fraud involving BharatPe.

Delhi Police's counsel argued, "Investigation is still ongoing. We are calling the wife, and she is not cooperating. She is claiming privilege and privacy and trying to stall the probe. We will complete the investigation in two months."

The counsel further expressed concerns that Ashneer Grover might dissipate assets abroad, adding, “He will dissipate the assets lying abroad. They are giving evasive replies...Heavens are not going to fall if they don’t go there."

Ashneer Grover co-founded BharatPe and served as its Managing Director, while Madhuri Jain Grover was the head of operations. Both left the company in early 2022. BharatPe lodged a complaint against them in December 2022, leading to the EOW registering an FIR in May 2023.